Nalorex 50mg tablets

Nalorex (Nal-or-rex) is a medicine which is used in preventing the relapse of opioid dependency in people who have recently had an opioid drug addiction. Nalorex contains naltrexone hydrochloride. It is supplied by Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The information in this Medicine Guide for Nalorex varies according to the condition
being treated and the particular preparation used.

Nalorex 50mg tablets

Information specific to Nalorex 50mg tablets when used in preventing the relapse of opioid dependency in people who have recently had an opioid drug addiction

Your medicine

Nalorex is used to help people who have recently had an opioid drug addiction. It works by affecting the same receptors in the brain that the addicted opioid affects. It helps people to remain free from drug addiction.

Nalorex is started in a drug addiction centre and is usually used as part of a programme of social and psychological treatment in order to keep people drug free. Treatment can only start seven to ten days after the last opioid drug was taken.

Other information about Nalorex:

people starting treatment with this form of this medicine will normally be prescribed a low dose

Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.

When to take your medicine

Some medicines work best if they are taken at a specific time of day. Getting the most from your medicine can also be affected by what you eat, when you eat and the times at which you take other medicines. Make sure you follow any specific instructions given to you by your prescriber or that are in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with this medicine.

How to take your medicine

Some medicines have specific instructions about how to take them. This is because they work better when taken correctly. These instructions can include getting the right dose and special instructions for preparing the medicine.

If you are having problems taking this form of Nalorex, you should talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They may be able to give you advice on other ways to take your medicine or other preparations that are easier for you to take.

Taking too much of your medicine

Taking extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems. If you take extra doses of your medicine, you must get medical advice immediately. You may need a test to assess the effect of taking extra doses. This is because the effects of taking too much medicine are very complex so it is very important that you seek medical advice.

Looking after your medicine

The instructions on how you should keep your medicine are on the pharmacy label. You should keep your medicine in the original container. This will help to keep your medicine in the best condition and also allow you to check the instructions. Do not take the medicine if the packaging appears to have been tampered with or if the medicine shows any signs of damage. Make sure that the medicine is out of the sight and reach of children.

Whether this medicine is suitable for you

Nalorex is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.

Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:

Over time it is possible that Nalorex can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Nalorex has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.

Rare: More than 1 in 10,000 people who take Nalorex:

Very rare: Fewer than 1 in 10,000 people who take Nalorex:

The frequency of these side-effects is unknown:

withdrawal symptoms may occur if Nalorex is taken by people who have misused opioids in the past 7-10 days

If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call 111.

You should see how this medicine affects you before you judge whether you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt about whether you should drive or operate machinery, talk to your prescriber.

Alcohol

Family planning and pregnancy

Most medicines, in some way, can affect the development of a baby in the womb. The effect on the baby differs between medicines and also depends on the stage of pregnancy that you have reached when you take the medicine.

In the case of Nalorex:

you should only take this medicine during pregnancy if your doctor thinks that you need it

You need to discuss your specific circumstances with your doctor to weigh up the overall risks and benefits of taking this medicine. You and your doctor can make a decision about whether you are going to take this medicine during pregnancy.

If the decision is that you should not have Nalorex, then you should discuss whether there is an alternative medicine that you could take during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Before you have your baby you should discuss breast-feeding with your doctor or midwife. They will help you decide what is best for you and your baby based on the benefits and risks associated with this medicine. If you wish to breast-feed you should discuss with your prescriber whether there are any other medicines you could take which would also allow you to breast-feed. You should not stop this medicine without taking advice from your doctor.

Ingredients of your medicine

Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. They are also added to improve the medicine's taste and appearance and to make it easier to take. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.

You should check that you are able to take the ingredients in your medicine, especially if you have any allergies.